Injustice: Gods Among Us: Year Five Chapter #26 Review

See What's Become of Me

Written by: Brian Buccellato
Art by: Mike S. Miller, J. Nanjan and Wes Abbott
Cover Price: $0.99
Release Date: June 14, 2016

Injustice has been a lot of things since it began all those years ago.  Sure, it's been a beat 'em up with over the top moves and fatalities that you'd expect from a comic tie-in to a  fighting game, but it's also been an emotional ride as well.  In fact, the emotional bits have always been my favorite.  I've been waiting for that since Alfred was murdered by Zsasz , but all we've gotten so far is a lot of fussin' and a fightin' and it has left me wanting much more.  Sure, seeing Batman beat the shit out of Superman has been pretty satisfying, but can't a guy get his fist-a-cuffs and eat it too?  Maybe this issue?  Let's find out...


The issue opens right where we left off...Batman has Superman in a chock hold and is about to snap his neck!  Awesome cliffhanger leads to awesome opener as they say in the business.  Of course, it's all to prove a point to Damian, but Buccellato shows us that he knows a bit about the young man when we see he is willing to kill his father to save Clark.  I wouldn't say this was a touching Father-Son moment, but it does put everything back in perspective.  Yes, Alfred is dead, but there is still a war going on.

If that wasn't fully clear, the rest of the Regime showing up to kick Batman's ass might dissipate the smoke a bit.  While Damian and Wonder Woman seem like they would kill Batman without a second thought, things just aren't the same for Barry.  Buccellato has set up this moment and now we see the doubt manifest itself into downright treason.

Luckily, Batman took that green pill last chapter (though I wonder why Buccellato didn't reference it here) because Wonder Woman and Hal Jordan let loose on him and instead of being dead, he's just knocked out.  That's it!  Wars over!  The Regime is taking him in...

Not so fast...Actually, I should say "just fast enough" because right as they are about to take Batman away, Barry steps up like the hero he is and races off with Batman.  Thank you Buccellato!  There is no way that Barry would ever stand for what is going on and he finally has had enough!

This is where the chapter takes a turn into awesomeness and sets up so many things.  I won't spoil it, but Bruce asks Barry to do something that would make everything better.  Yea, there are always repercussions to doing it and there is always the possibility of things getting worse, but really????  As Bruce put it, "It can't be worse than what we have."  I might have to agree.

The issue then ends with the emotional scene I've been waiting weeks for.  It ties into the whole birthday gag between Alfred and Bruce that started this nightmare and Buccellato twists it around to give fans the feels.

I really liked this chapter.  Seeing how far gone Damian is was one thing, but the cold hearted trash talking that Bruce was spitting at Wonder Woman was shocking...and awesome!  If Flash stepping up to stop the madness was icing on the cake then what the hell was Bruce's plea to Barry and the emotional ending?!?  Icing on the icing on the cake?  I don't know about you, but I want some cake, stat!

Mike S, Miller has continued to impress me.  In fact, I don't know who steps it up more in this issue, Miller or Flash?  I say it's a tie because this whole issue looked fantastic.  Injustice fan Ann has told me that Bruno Redondo's days on this book are over and while that is sad news, if Miller keeps giving us issues like this, I may be able to get over my sadness.

Bits and Pieces:

This issue is what Injustice is all about.  Action, shocking twists and great character moments.  If I was going to reach into my book, "Generic Phrases for Comic Reviewers", I'd say this chapter was a roller coaster ride of emotions and I wouldn't be lying.  I loved it.

9.5/10